How to Decorate Your Kitchen Counters Like a Pro

Kitchen counters play an essential functional role in food preparation and storage, but with a bit of creativity they can also be an opportunity to add style to your kitchen. Decorating your kitchen counters effectively doesn't mean cramming them with random knick-knacks - the key is finding a smart balance between form and function.

Thoughtfully decorating your counters can open up valuable storage space, establish a cohesive aesthetic, and bring you joy while cooking and entertaining. Read on as we share our best tips for decorating your kitchen counters like a pro.

Clear Clutter for a Clean Slate

Before diving into decorating, it's important to declutter your counters and remove non-essential items. This clears the way for your decorative touches to shine and creates more usable surface area.

Take stock of appliances and gadgets you don't utilize daily and find alternate storage for them. This may include blenders, slow cookers or mixers. Put away stray mail, paperwork and other clutter.

Also take advantage of hidden storage areas surrounding your counters. Tuck away spice jars and other little items on the sides of your refrigerator or the space above the stove. Install hooks and racks inside lower cabinets to get pots and pans up off the counters.

Getting a clean slate helps ensure your counter decorating stays organized and intentional, not just more layers of clutter. Your new decor will also look cohesive rather than competing with existing items.

Maximize Vertical Storage

Many kitchens lack ample horizontal space but have unused vertical real estate. Take advantage of walls, upper cabinets and other areas with racks, shelves and organizers to free up precious counter space.

Consider wall-mounted rails or floating shelves to stash condiments, cooking oils and frequently used ingredients. Mount a pegboard to neatly hang utensils, towels and more. Tiered stands are great for displaying spices, cans and other items in an organized way.

For upper cabinets, install extra shelves to separate and corral foodstuffs, dishes and small appliances. Door-mounted racks on the inside of cabinet fronts also efficiently utilize what's usually wasted space.

Going vertical with your storage helps everything feel organized and intentional while keeping counters clear for prep and cooking. You can also incorporate stylish baskets, pretty jars and coordinating accessories as part of your vertical storage.

Creative Ways to Use Vertical Space

• Mount a rack near the stove for spices and cooking oils
• Use floating shelves for cookbooks, pots and pans
• Hang utensils from a mounted pegboard or rail
• Tiered racks for canned goods and sauces

Organize with Style

Once you've pared down items to daily essentials, it's time to corral them in an aesthetically pleasing way. Opt for coordinating storage vessels and organizers to enhance your decor.

For a unified look, jars, canisters and bins should be in the same color family and material. For example, clear glass canisters of varying sizes with bamboo lids. Use trays to neatly wrangle smaller objects like hand towels, mixing bowls and spice bottles.

Cutting boards can be stored on their sides in mounted rails. Matching ceramic utensil crocks and sleek knife blocks keep essential tools accessible but tidy. Group like items together - all baking equipment in one area, oils and vinegars in another.

Storage Ideas that Merge Function and Style

• Glass canisters with bamboo lids for flour, sugar, etc.
• A divided tray for spice bottles, salt and pepper shakers
• Marble and wood cutting board holder mounted to the wall
• Ceramic utensil crock and knife block

Establish a Color Scheme

Having a cohesive color scheme is key to pulling your kitchen counters together into a polished, styled space. Choose one or two complementary colors and use them throughout.

Look at paint samples to select cabinet colors that coordinate well with your counters. Replace dingy towels and textiles like potholders with solids or patterns featuring your color scheme.

When buying accessories, serveware and storage items, stick to your designated hues. For example, if using navy blue and natural wood, seek out canisters, serving bowls and utensil holders in those tones. The result is a stylish, curated look.

Tips for Coordinating Colors

• Pick a main color and accent color
• Use your scheme in paint, textiles, accessories
• Avoid too many competing colors
• Consider undertones like warm or cool

Incorporate Greenery

In addition to helping purify indoor air, bringing plants into your kitchen counter decor infuses color, life and a connection to nature. Herbs, succulents and leafy greens are all great options.

If your counter has ample sunlight, consider a compact herb garden for freqently used cooking herbs like thyme, rosemary and basil. For lower light areas, opt for low-maintenance succulents or snake plants.

Select planters in materials like ceramic, wood or concrete that fit your style. Coordinate colors with your overall kitchen decor. Place plants in spots that make sense ergonomically - you want to be able to access and appreciate them.

Best Plants for Kitchen Counters

• Herb garden
• Succulents
• Snake plants
• Pothos
• Philodendrons

Display Decoratively

Many utilitarian kitchen items like cutting boards, dishes and cooking tools can also become decorative elements with artful display.

Rather than stashing cutting boards out of sight, lean them attractively against a wall or the inside of lower cabinets. Stack plates and bowls to create little vignettes, showing off your best serveware.

Use risers, cake stands or decorative bowls to elevate and show off fruit, baked goods and other kitchen items. Pretty spoons can be stood upright in a container of rice or beans.

Creative Display Ideas

• Stack coordinating bowls
• Line up cherished pottery
• Display fruit in an antique cake stand
• Lean rustic wood cutting boards on open shelves

Add Pops of Personality

When decorating your counters, don't forget to infuse little touches that show off your personal tastes and interests. These could include:

• Unique salt and pepper shakers
• Handmade pottery or ceramic pieces
• Vintage kitchen tools like egg beaters or rolling pins
• Framed artwork and inspirational quotes
• A bowl displaying cherishedkitchen utensils
• Family photos depicting good times in the kitchen

The options are endless - just pick a few special items that spark joy or evoke fond memories. They'll lend charm and keep your kitchen feeling like you.

Maintain Functionality

Amid creating an attractive space, remaining functional is paramount. As you decorate, keep day-to-day essentials readily available.

Place a rack over the stove for spices and oils. Keep utensil crocks, knife blocks and cutting boards handy without occupying expansive counter space. Have an organized tray for small appliances like the toaster and coffee maker.

When selecting decorative items, consider your lifestyle and cooking habits. Opt for durable materials that are easy to clean. Use trays and containers to corral smaller items so counters can be quickly cleared.

By maintaining an element of functionality in your design, your kitchen counters will retain their prime purpose as a strong supporting actor in the kitchen's overall workflow.

With a bit of decluttering, creative storage and stylish accessories, it's simple to take your kitchen counters from drab to fab. Remember to infuse your own personal taste and anchor the space with purposeful utility.

Next time you're prepping a meal or entertaining guests, take pride in your counters' form and function. Let the transformations inspire more joyful, memorable moments in your kitchen.